Top 17 Castles around Mutterhausen

The Wasenburg was built in 1280 by Konrad von Lichtenberg on a castle site dating back to the 8th century. The castle was damaged in the Peasants' War and was almost destroyed by French troops in 1677. The huge nine-part magnificent window with seven rosettes is remarkable - a work of art that the stonemasons carved out of a single piece of sandstone. It is probably the most beautiful castle window of all Alsatian castles. The mighty shield wall, a bay window and the fireplace in the palace are also well preserved. A memorial plaque commemorates Goethe's visit in 1770, who came up here because of the magnificent window and the excellent view from the spa town of Niederbronn-les-Bains.

In this region (Northern Vosges) there are a number of interesting castle ruins. My personal preference goes to the Château du Falkenstein (described in another walking route). But this Château du Ramstein is also a place that you should not miss. NOTE: there are two ruins with exactly the same name! This is about the castle that is located in Baerenthal. The other Château de Ramstein is located 100 km to the south in Scherwiller. We visited this castle during a beautiful 8 km walk through Baerenthal. The castle was built around 1292 by the lords of Windstein on a high sandstone rock of 292 meters and destroyed in 1335 by Strasbourg troops. Not much remains of the building. Only parts of the mansion, doors, stairs and two cavemen's rooms are still visible. The ruins have only been open to the public for a few years and are very well secured.

Falkenstein Castle has been very well restored. The many information boards are also very helpful. In the castle at the level of the horse stables there are table sets for a picnic

There is a large seating area under the trees at the foot of the castle. An ideal place for a snack break

Waldeck Castle is a medieval castle built at the end of the 13th century for the Duke of Lorraine. The site is accessed by a path that starts from the Etang de Waldeck, a panoramic pond that is reached by the hamlet of Bannstein. The castle is made up of three rocky outcrops, each housing a different fortification. The most impressive is the southern one, where you can admire the remains of a crenellated tower and a Gothic vault. The castle offers a panoramic view of the surrounding forest and the plain of Alsace. You can also explore the underground rooms, stairways and cisterns that bear witness to the castle's past life. Waldeck Castle is a historical and natural treasure that will enchant you with its romantic atmosphere.

The Wasenburg (French Château du Wasenbourg) is the ruin of a medieval rock castle in Alsace. The castle stands on a 432 meter high northern foothills of the Reisberg above Niederbronn-les-Bains and the Falkensteinerbachtal, an important connection between Bitche and the Upper Rhine Plain. Nothing is known about the founding of the castle. The castle of Duke Luitfried may have stood here as early as 730. The first reports are from 1280, when Konrad von Lichtenberg expanded the (probably already existing) castle. Source: Wikipedia.

After about an hour you reach the Wasenburg ruins from Niederbronn-les-Bains. Nice view over the plain.

On the edge of Lorraine, nestled in the arms of its mighty citadel, lies the fortified town of Bitche. Today, the town, with a population of 5,000, owes its founding to the strategic nature of the rock that overlooks it and has been fortified since the 12th century. The town of Bitche has remained true to its military destiny and has experienced an extraordinary history marked by events that have shaken it, but above all, have left it wounded. The citadel, whose sharp lines rise above the town's rooftops, seems to have emerged from ancient times, defying the assaults of the elements and oblivion. One recognizes the characteristic lines of the genius of Vauban, its architect, even though it was rebuilt during the 18th century, reflecting the constraints of its unique geographical location. The citadel has witnessed major turning points in history, from the French Revolution to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 to the end of World War II. It has been a listed monument since 1979 and is preserved to remind us that peace ultimately prevailed only at the price of painful trials and will now hopefully remain permanently preserved. https://www.citadelle-bitche.com/DE/Die-Festung/Beschreibung.html